A small smile grew on Kali's face as she sat on the porch of her new 'home', feeling the wind blowing through her hair, the sun beaming down on her face. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt so at peace. She could almost believe that things would turn out alright. Maybe just this once. But then she would remember Charlie. About the fact that she was stuck on the island whether she liked it or not. That she could lose Sawyer. And her smile would immediately fade.
"Kind of weird, ain't it? Sitting on porches, drinking tea out of mugs?" Sawyer murmured, as he wandered over to her, handing a drink into her waiting hands.
"Jesus. I haven't drunk tea since I left England" Kali realised, taking a sip of the drink.
"You're so goddamn English" Sawyer teased, as she nudged him with her elbow.
"Says Mr Alabama" Kali grinned.
"I found some clothes about your size. Hung em' in the closet" Sawyer told her.
"James. You know we can't stay here. Others like Charlotte and Miles are gonna' be coming for us and we have next to no defences. We're sitting ducks" Kali explained, making Sawyer sigh.
"I know. We just keep going from one fight to another, don't we?" Sawyer pointed out, as Kali lowered her head to lean against his shoulder.
"At least we have each other's backs now. No more going it alone" Kali stated, pressing a kiss to his shoulder.
"Damn right. I think we've more or less adopted Hugo" Sawyer scoffed, before drinking from his mug.
"God, did you hear his singing in the shower this morning? I thought someone was strangling a cat" Kali giggled, as Sawyer wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
"You know, if Montezuma wants to stick with us off the island, we're gonna' need a bigger place. And a little thing called privacy" Sawyer smirked, pulling her in close, as Kali tried to keep the smile on her face.
She was relieved when she heard a crackling sound from the walkie-talkie in her bag a moment later, jumping to her feet to retrieve the device. She could soon make out her brother's voice and pressed the mic button on the walkie-talkie to speak.
"Finally remembered you have a sister who you're supposed to keep in contact with, huh?" Kali complained, hearing Ken huff from the other end of the call.
"And hello to you too, Sis. How's it going in paradise?" Ken asked.
"No signs of trouble yet. Did Sayid get back to you with Charlotte?" Kali inquired.
"And flew off soon after. He and Desmond. They've gone to the boat. No word from them yet" Ken explained, as Kali's brow furrowed.
"How long's it been?" Kali pushed, hearing silence from the other end.
"Ken?" She insisted, the concern clear in her tone.
"Twelve hours" Ken confessed, as Kali's eyes snapped to Sawyer's.
"Hey, it doesn't mean anything. They might not be able to contact us. You know what this damn island is like" Sawyer suggested, as Kali nodded, slowly.
She hoped he was right, but her gut told her differently. Something had gone wrong. What if she wasn't the only one who couldn't leave the island? She didn't know what she'd do if Sayid and Desmond were dead. She couldn't cope with much more.
"Listen to the senior citizen, Kal" Ken advised, making Sawyer roll his eyes.
"Prick" Sawyer muttered, amusing Kali.
"You know you two are gonna' have to start getting on eventually" She pointed out.
"I'm not actively trying to kill him, isn't that enough?" Ken retorted, as Kali shook her head in disbelief.
"How comforting" Kali snorted.
"You got your eyes on Ben?" Ken questioned.
"He's not getting out of my sight, don't worry" Kali responded, thinking about how it was time she paid her favourite 'Other' a visit.
Ken ran a hand over his sweaty face, staring off into the ocean, his legs twitching with anxiety. His sister was halfway across the island with someone perhaps even more dangerous than him, and Juliet and Jack still hadn't returned to camp. He shouldn't have left her there. What if Daniel had been tricking them? He could have already killed the group and been making his way to their camp at that very moment—
Ken flinched as a water bottle was suddenly thrust in his face, grabbing the wrist of the person offering him the water. He frowned when he saw it was Jin. From what Ken knew about the man, he spoke very little English, and figured that must have been the reason he would even approach him. He quickly released Jin's wrist and took the bottle from his hand, giving him a slight nod.
"Cheers" Ken exclaimed.
"...You haven't poisoned it, right?" Ken asked, his words seeming to amuse Jin.
"You, Kali's brother. I, look out for you" Jin replied, as Ken's frown grew deeper.
"I don't need anyone's help" Ken muttered, pushing himself to his feet.
"Ok" Jin nodded, as he stood up to join Ken.
"I don't" Ken insisted, as Jin simply nodded again, before ushering to the water.
"You're not gonna' go until I drink or something?" Ken guessed, as Jin nodded once more.
"I can see why you and my sister get along now. You're both a pain in my ass" Ken murmured but drank some of the water, nonetheless.
Before Jin could say anything else, they heard a commotion coming from the other side of camp, relieved to see Jack pushing through the jungle undergrowth. Daniel followed soon after, a redhead close to his side, the pair appearing nervous, though they tried to hide it. A smile spread over Ken's lips when he saw Juliet trailing behind them, her blue eyes connecting with his. He raised his hand up to give her an awkward wave, which she returned with a small grin.
"Friends?" Jin questioned, as Ken's eyes flickered between him and Juliet.
"I guess" Ken shrugged, missing the way Jin's lips twitched into a smirk.
Juliet soon looked away from Ken and toward her sweaty hands which she had doused in the ash Ken had gifted her. She had spent the trek back to camp wondering how she could 'test' the two newcomers without drawing attention to herself. But now it looked like she was out of time.
"Here, let me get that for you" Juliet announced, grabbing the backpack Charlotte was shrugging off her shoulders.
Charlotte reluctantly allowed her to help remove the heavy backpack, as Juliet made sure to rub her hand over the redhead's arm, glad when she saw no reaction was evident. What was she expecting? For Charlotte to burst into flames? Ken was known for being unhinged at the best of times, for all she knew, he was just toying with her. Still, before she could change her mind, she was suddenly pulling Daniel into a hug, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, and placing her hand against the nape of his neck.
"Uh, Juliet?" Daniel exclaimed, holding his hands out at his sides, unsure what to do.
"I just...wanted to thank you. For coming to the island" Juliet replied, as she looked down at his neck, seeing nothing had happened.
"You're welcome?" Daniel murmured, patting her on the back, clearly confused by her actions.
"I think some of these people have been on this island too long" Charlotte whispered under her breath, as Juliet pulled out of the embrace.
"Wonderful. A redhead, just what this place needed" Ken's voice interrupted, as he strolled over to Juliet's side.
"Where's Kate?" Sun questioned, realising her friend was nowhere to be seen.
"She stayed with Locke" Jack told her, hurt laced into his tone.
"Sounds like this is your chance, Jules" Ken stated, placing his arm over her shoulder, as the crowd started to disband.
"What chance?" Juliet frowned, but she didn't push him away.
"To jump the Doc's bones" Ken snorted, as Juliet rolled her eyes.
"You really are just as oblivious as your sister, aren't you?" Juliet scoffed, shrugging his arm off her shoulders and went to walk away.
"What did I say?" Ken called out to her, confused.
Claire rubbed at her tired eyes as she hung out the sheets from the barracks, almost feeling as if she was in a dream. She didn't think she would ever be lying on a bed again, let alone smelling the scent of fresh sheets. Aaron had woken up a few minutes ago, beginning to fuss in his basket. The one that Charlie had found for him.
"You settling in alright?" Kali called out to her.
"I'm fine" Claire replied, bluntly.
"Yeah, me too. Absolutely fine" Kali murmured, wandering over to Aaron, who raised his small fist up in the air, almost as if he was waving at her.
"Did you want something?" Claire exclaimed.
"Just being neighbourly" Kali shrugged, as Claire huffed, quick to pick Aaron up, seeming to want him far away from the younger girl.
"Do you remember what happened after Ethan kidnapped you? How scared you were when you lost your memories? You wouldn't even let Charlie near you. But you trusted me. Straight away, before you even remembered who I was..." Kali trailed off, as Claire turned away from her, rocking Aaron back and forth.
"Hell, before that even. When you were sick, when Aaron was sick, the first goddamn day on this island...I have always looked out for you Claire. You and your baby. And now what, you can't even look at me?" Kali complained, tired of not standing up for herself.
"...Aaron won't remember him" Claire spoke up, after a few moments.
"Charlie. My baby won't remember him. And I need someone to be angry at him. I can't...I'm not going to cope if I don't have someone to blame" Claire confessed.
"Fine. You can hate me all you want. But I made a promise to Charlie that I would get Aaron off this island. And I keep my promises, Claire" Kali explained, as the blonde turned back to face her.
"But you said we can't trust these people? That they're dangerous?" Claire pointed out.
"And they are. But it doesn't mean I can't hijack their helicopter and save the people I care about" Kali went on.
"And whether you like that or not, I'm still including you in that list. So, suck it up" Kali clarified, making Claire snort.
"Fair enough" Claire replied, with a small smile, as they watched a familiar face approach them.
"Kali. I need your help" Kate exclaimed, as Kali raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, nice to see you too. I'm great. Thanks for asking" Kali murmured, watching Kate purse her lips.
"Please. I don't have time—" Kate started, when Kali cut her off.
"Well, that's half the problem, Kate. It seems like the only time you ever talk to me or James these days is when you want something. And here you are, again. Wanting something" Kali muttered.
"You're gonna' help me or not?" Kate insisted.
"What's in it for me?" Kali inquired.
"You get some time alone with Ben. You can break his jaw if you want, blame it on me" Kate suggested, as Kali mulled it over.
"Deal. As long as I get to kick him in the crotch too" Kali grinned.
Kali groaned when she felt Kate breathing down her neck, who was already tense enough, practically pacing behind her. Kali pursed her lips as continued trying to pick the lock to Ben's new room in the basement of his house. It had been years since she had tried to break in anywhere, but the muscle memory of how to bend a paperclip into a lock was still there.
"Just let me shoot it" Kate complained, making Kali shake her head.
"You want to alert Locke to where we are right now? He's gonna' come right back here when he realises he's been played" Kali pointed out.
Kali had managed to rope Sawyer into their plan, who had manipulated Locke into leaving the house to race off to wherever it was he was keeping Miles. The man in question was now tied up in the kitchen upstairs, waiting to meet the reason he had come to the island.
"Ha. Told you I could do it" Kali grinned, as the lock came apart in her hands.
"I'll go get Miles. Make sure Ben's secured" Kate told her, as Kali gave a mock salute.
"Yes, Ma'am" Kali mumbled, as she opened the door, revealing a bruised and battered Ben.
"Hello, Benjamin" Kali exclaimed, leaning against the doorframe.
"Come to kill me? I suggest you get in line" Ben replied.
"I don't really care enough about you to kill you" Kali shrugged, as Ben quirked an eyebrow.
"As charming as ever" Ben muttered, as Kali pulled out a DHARMA chocolate bar out of her pocket.
"You've come to bribe me instead?" Ben suggested.
"Nope. I'm missing dinner for this. You can watch me eat" Kali grinned, as she walked into the room, coming to sit on top of one of the steel barrels.
"It must be nice, I suppose. Being able to eat whenever you want on this island. A little different from your childhood, huh?" Ben went on, as Kali's eyes widened.
"...Oh shit" She mumbled, her forehead wrinkling.
"What?" Ben questioned.
"I used to steal things like this from the other kids at the school. I'd get in trouble. The teachers would punish me, tell my parents and then they would punish me too. The cycle goes on and on. In the end, I figured an empty stomach was better than bruises. Hurts, doesn't it?" Kali exclaimed, as Ben looked away from her.
"Was it your mum?" Kali inquired, watching how Ben's jaw clenched.
"Your dad then" Kali nodded, as Ben still wouldn't look her in the eye.
"If you're trying to humanise me, I think you'll be a little disappointed," Ben told her.
"Oh, I don't think you're a monster, Ben. I think you're lonely. I think you've pushed away the one good thing in your life, hint, it's your daughter, and now you're taking your anger out on everyone else. It's just sad really" Kali went on.
"At least I'm not lying to the man I love" Ben retorted, his smug smile back.
"Yeah. And if you ever tell him the truth, well...then I will have a reason to slit your throat" Kali said, smiling back at him, far too sweetly.
"She's fine, by the way. Alex. Her mum's looking after her" Kali added, a few moments later.
"...361528. The combination to my safe behind the second picture to the left in the kitchen" Ben announced, as Kali's eyes narrowed.
"And why would you tell me that?" Kali frowned.
"Because the enemy of my enemy is my friend" Ben informed her, as they had footsteps fast approaching.
"You better be quick" Ben mumbled, as Kate and the newcomer, Miles, came into view.
"You've got one minute" Kate exclaimed, shoving Miles into the room, his hands still bound by rope.
"I'll keep an eye out for Locke" Kali told her, as she rushed out of the room, not seeing how Ben's lips twitched into a smirk.
Kali didn't stop until she reached the picture Ben had spoken of, and pulled at the frame, eyes widening when she saw it came away from the wall to reveal a safe just as Ben had told her. She went to open the object before her hand stilled on the dial. For all she knew, there could have been a bomb rigged inside...
"Ah, screw it" Kali mumbled, wanting some answers for once, as she turned the dial to the correct combination.
Puzzlement crossed her face as she found a tape inside with the words 'Red Sox' written in ink. Biting her lip, she made her way over to the VCR, and pushed the tape into the player, wondering what the hell she was about to watch. Static flickered on the television for a few moments, before a blurry picture flashed onto the screen, showing someone filming a car from behind some metal railings. Kali continued watching as a bearded man was thrown out of the vehicle, a blindfold over his eyes, blood already dripping down his lip. A moment later, another man stepped out of the car, brushing down his coat, as the tape zoomed in on his face. A strangely familiar face.
"I know that man" Kali frowned, as she pressed pause, taking a closer look at the bald man on screen.
Her eyes then flickered over to the safe, spotting a red folder inside. She could swear she had seen that man off the island. Years ago...
With a shake of her head, she rushed over to the safe and opened the folder, her eyes immediately finding a name on the front page. One that caused a shiver to go down her spine.
Charles Widmore.
Why the hell did Ben have a tape of Penny's father hidden in his safe?
Back on the beach, Ken was watching Juliet pace back and forth, her shoulders tense and rigid. It had now been over a day since Sayid and Desmond had left in the helicopter and according to a woman on the boat, they had never made it. The answer to what happened to them seemed clear to Ken, even if no one else would admit it.
"You don't seem worried" Juliet pointed out, eyes flickering to where Ken was sitting cross-legged on the sand.
"I don't know them. Why should I care?" Ken scoffed.
"Because they're good people" Juliet retorted, with a shake of her head.
"There are no such thing as good people, Juliet. Some people are just worse than others" Ken mumbled.
A strange beeping sound had Juliet twisting around, her eyes dropping to the satellite phone in Jack's hand that was flashing. She was racing over to him a second later, as Ken was quick on her heels, interested to hear what the people on the boat had to say.
"Hello?" Jack exclaimed, putting the phone to his ear.
"Jack, it's Sayid. I'm on the freighter" Sayid announced, as Juliet let out a sigh of relief.
"Are you okay? Where the hell have you been?" Jack asked, as he put the phone on speaker so the others could hear the conversation.
"Something happened during the flight, and now Desmond's in their sick bay. He doesn't appear to recognize me or know where he is" Sayid informed them, as all eyes turned to Dan.
"Wait, your friend, Desmond? Has he recently been exposed to high levels of radiation or electromagnetism?" Dan inquired, as Ken quirked an eyebrow.
"Electro-what?" Ken frowned.
"Okay, look. Uh, we don't know why, but going to and coming from the Island, some people can get a little...confused" Dan admitted.
"So, what, is this amnesia?" Juliet suggested, a bad feeling settling in her gut.
"No, this is not amnesia" Dan murmured, wishing that was the case.
"Care to elaborate?" Ken insisted, crossing his arms.
"Desmond's mind has become...somewhat displaced in time" Daniel answered, looking at their blank faces.
"In English?" Jack pushed.
"His mind will be jumping from one time to another. Sometimes it's only a few hours and other times...well, let's hope it's not...I need to speak to him. Now" Daniel told them.
"I'll see what I can do" Sayid stated, before hanging up the call.
"So, just to get this straight...you're talking about time travel?" Juliet inquired.
"Of a sort" Daniel replied, running a hand through his hair.
"And this happens to everyone who leaves the island?" Ken questioned.
"Not everyone. But anyone" Daniel explained.
"And you didn't think to bring this up before you sent them off in that helicopter?" Juliet snapped, angrily.
"I think Danny here knew exactly what he was doing. Your buddies were his guinea pigs" Ken suggested, as Jack was suddenly grabbing Daniel by his collar.
"Is that true?" Jack spat out, as Daniel opened his mouth to reply when the satellite phone began beeping again.
"Hello?" A panicked voice spoke up, as Jack reluctantly handed the phone to Daniel.
"Desmond! Desmond, my name is Daniel Faraday. We met yesterday before you took off. But I'm guessing you don't remember that. Am I right?" Daniel announced.
"Took off? What?" Desmond asked, clearly confused, an alarm bell ringing in the background.
"Get to the damn point already!" Ken insisted, knowing Daniel was wasting time.
"I need you to tell me what year you think it is" Daniel exclaimed.
"What do you mean, what year do I think it—it's 1996!" Desmond answered as the group shared a worried look.
"Alright, Desmond, Desmond look, you gotta' tell me...where are you? Not right now. Where are you supposed to be? Where are you in 1996?" Daniel went on.
"Uh, Camp Millar, it's a... Royal Scots Regiment, it's just north of Glasgow" Desmond replied.
"Alright, I'm thinking, I'm thinking. Desmond, listen. When it happens again, Desmond, I need you to get on a train. Get on a train and go to Oxford. Oxford University. Queens College Physics Department. Alright?" Daniel told him, as a frown grew on Ken's face, which Juliet noticed.
"What's wrong?" She inquired, in a hushed voice.
"Nothing. It's nothing" Ken mumbled, taking a step away from the group, only confusing Juliet further.
"What? Why?" Desmond asked.
"Because I need you to find me" Daniel announced.
Desmond's head felt as though it was about to explode as he awoke from...the future? The present? He didn't know anymore. All he knew was that he had to find Penny. He needed a constant. It had taken him longer than he could afford to track down Charles Widmore, but luck appeared on his side for once, as Penny's father had given him her new address. But just as he had been about to follow Charles out of the bathroom, he had flashed to the other time. It hadn't lasted more than a few minutes this time. Daniel had warned it would happen quicker and quicker until...
Desmond's eyes suddenly snapped open, feeling someone reaching into his trouser pocket, as water slowly dripped down onto his cheeks from the overflowing basin. Desmond looked up to see a skinny kid looming over him, his wallet in their hand. The wallet that had Penny's new address in it.
"What...what are you doing?" Desmond stuttered as he pushed himself up, spooking the kid.
"I have a perfectly good explanation for this..." The stranger trailed off, before he jumped to his feet, and began running out of the bathroom.
"Hey, wait! Wait!" Desmond shouted, standing up on his shaky legs and following the boy.
He continued chasing after the kid, who dodged and ducked from the rich men and women who were in his way. Just as Desmond was about to catch up with him, the stranger kicked out at a nearby cleaner's trolley, causing water to spill over the floor, and causing Desmond to slip to the ground. He let out a growl as he pushed himself back up and began racing after the boy again, who had reached the front door of the gallery. Desmond was far quicker than the boy and managed to grab him as he ran out into the road, holding onto the back of his hoodie. He was then struck in the face by the boy's elbow, who then shoved him out of the way and ran toward the pavement.
"Wait, just...just give me the wallet! You can keep the damn money. Please, I'll die if you don't!" Desmond cried, as the boy stopped in his tracks.
He twisted around, the wallet still clutched in his pale hand, opening his mouth to call back when something seemed to grab his attention. The boy was running toward Desmond a second later, shoving him in the chest, causing him to fall roughly onto his back. Suddenly, a car came out of nowhere and collided with the kid, who was flung over the roof of the vehicle, the horrifying sound of his body being struck echoing through the street. Desmond's mouth hung open as he watched the boy's body flop onto the ground, the wallet dropping just by Desmond's feet.
"Oh God...no, no, no..." Desmond gaped, as he crawled over to the boy, who had blood running down the side of his face.
"Wake up, kid. Wake up! You need to—" Desmond cut himself off, as he found himself back in the sick bay of the boat.
"Desmond? Desmond, can you hear me?" Sayid questioned, by his side in an instant.
"I need...I need to go back!" Desmond exclaimed, with eyes wide.
Twenty minutes later, Desmond was staring down at the dead body of George, a man who had been displaced in time just like him. Blood had poured out of his eyes and nose, a seizure overwhelming him before he finally went still. He couldn't get back. And because of that...he had died. Which was exactly what was going to happen to Desmond. Even if he could get to Penny back in 1996, how was he going to—
"Sir, can you hear me?" A female voice asked, as Desmond found himself in a white room, a nurse looming over him.
"What...where am I?" Desmond frowned.
"You're in the hospital. You were found at the site of a hit and run passed out" The nurse answered.
"I...there was a kid. He...Jesus, he got hit by the car. Is he alright?" Desmond questioned.
"I can't talk about other patients, sir. Confidentiality" The nurse pointed out, as Desmond shook his head, and began shuffling out of the bed.
"I need to see him" Desmond insisted, looking around to see his wallet was nowhere to be found.
They must have thought it was the boy's wallet.
"You need to stay in bed. Your bloods are very concerning" The nurse told him, reaching out to try to push him back onto the bed.
"Look, this is gonna' sound crazy, it is bloody crazy but if I don't see that boy...I'm going to die" Desmond announced.
"...You hit your head, didn't you?" The nurse suggested, as Desmond let out a groan.
"You need to listen to me!" Desmond shouted, as the nurse took a step back.
"I will call security if you don't—" The nurse started, before she was hit in the head with a metal stand.
Desmond's mouth went slack as he saw her attacker was the same boy from before, now dressed in a hospital gown, blood still coated across his cheek. The kid didn't drop the pole as he took a step closer to Desmond, a slight smirk on his face.
"I think you and me need to have a chat, Desmond" The boy stated, something about his tone seeming strangely familiar.
"Do I know you?" Desmond frowned.
"My name's Ken. Ken Dixon. And you're gonna' explain why you've been stalking me and my sister for half our lives" The boy announced, as a strange image flashed through Desmond's mind.
It was of the boy in front of him but...older? His hair was grown out, stubble growing on his cheeks, but the same smug smirk on his lips. Did he really know him? The name did seem familiar.
"Are you from the island?" Desmond asked.
"Is that supposed to be a code or some shit?" Ken retorted, as Desmond ran his hand over his face.
"Look, I don't have time for this. I need my wallet..." Desmond trailed off, as Ken raised the metal pole to just inches away from Desmond's face.
"Well then...I guess you better follow me" Ken suggested, before he threw the metal pole toward the window, shattering the glass with ease.
"What the bloody hell are you doing?" Desmond cried, as Ken walked over to the window, looking down at the steep drop below.
"Making an exit" Ken grinned, before jumping down from the window, without a second thought.
Desmond raced over the broken glass, peering down to find Ken already limping away into the night. He gulped as he held onto the window ledge, wondering if he too could make the jump. If he died in 1996, would that mean he died for real?
"You gonna' stand there pissing your pants all day or are you gonna' get a move on?" Ken called up to him, as Desmond cursed under his breath before he jumped into the air.
"Could you look any more suspicious?" Ken complained, watching how Desmond's eyes darted around the restaurant they found themselves in.
"Aye, because you don't stand out at all" Desmond muttered, ushering to the hospital gown underneath the jacket Desmond had given him.
"It's all about confidence, Des. You don't act out of place, and people will think you belong" Ken shrugged, grabbing a chip from his plate.
"Don't call me that" Desmond muttered.
"What should I call you then? My guardian angel?" Ken chuckled to himself.
"What did you mean...that I've been stalking you and your sister?" Desmond inquired.
"I've seen you. For years now. Across the street, outside my school, in the booth behind me at a restaurant. I don't think Kali ever picked up on it, but then again, I got the smarts in the family" Ken grinned, leaning back in his chair.
"Kali? That's your sister?" Desmond frowned.
"Was my sister. We're not exactly close anymore" Ken scoffed.
"How come?" Desmond asked, as Ken raised an eyebrow.
"...Holy shit. You really don't know who I am, do you?" Ken realised.
"What, are you some sort of celebrity?" Desmond suggested, as Ken burst out laughing.
"Of a sort" He mumbled, with an amused smile.
"So, are you gonna' spill it then? Who are you?" Ken asked.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you" Desmond responded, causing Ken to roll his eyes.
"Try me" He insisted.
"...I travelled from the year 2004. My mind keeps flashing from that year to this year and it's slowly killing me. And the only hope I have is finding the woman who's address is in my wallet" Desmond explained, as Ken's hand hovered in the air, about to eat another chip.
"Wow. God, you're actually crazier than me. That is impressive" Ken laughed.
"It's the truth!" Desmond exclaimed, banging his hand on the table, watching how Ken flinched, his shoulders suddenly tense.
"Sorry. Sorry, I...I just don't know what I'm doing anymore" Desmond muttered, dropping his head into his hands.
"Why's it so important you find this woman?" Ken inquired, a few moments later.
"She's my constant. Someone I know now and in the future. I hope...and if I am gonna' die, well...I want her to be there" Desmond answered.
"Great, I think I just puked in my mouth a little. Thanks for that" Ken huffed, before grimacing as he rubbed at his sore neck.
"We shouldn't have left the hospital. You got run over by a bloody car, remember?" Desmond pushed.
"Kind of hard to forget" Ken muttered, as the pain radiated down his spine.
"I'm serious. Hey, are you alright?" Desmond asked, reaching out for Ken's arm when the younger man had scrunched his eyes shut, clearly in pain.
"I'm flattered, Des, but you're not really my type" Ken replied, shrugging his hand off him.
In the blink of an eye, Desmond suddenly found himself no longer in the restaurant. Instead, he was on a beach...on the island! He could remember the island.
"I'm flattered, Des, but you're not really my type" Ken repeated, as Desmond's eyes snapped up to his.
He was older again now. A few inches taller than him. Ken. Kali's sister. How could he have forgotten them?
"It's Desmond..." Desmond found himself mumbling, as Juliet handed him a gun.
"You let my sister call you Des" Ken pouted, as Desmond looked to his left to find Kali and Sawyer talking to each other, the younger girl's cheeks stained with tears.
"Desmond?" Juliet questioned, when she saw the strange look on his face.
"I...I did it. I'm back...I'm back!" Desmond cheered, tears of relief growing behind his own eyes.
He remembered this. They were about to walk into the jungle to tell Jack, to warn him about the people on the boat. But that was where he had just been? If they did stop Jack, what would happen to the future? What would—
Suddenly, a hand was striking him in the face, as he stumbled back a few paces, clutching at his aching cheek. Ken was standing over him, his hand still raised in the air, smirking at Juliet.
"See. I fixed him" Ken grinned, as Juliet rolled her eyes in response.
"But how did I get from 1996 to now...I didn't find Penny, I needed..." Desmond stuttered, before his eyes went wide.
"Oh no" He murmured, as he realised what had happened.
Ken Dixon had become his constant.
Author's Notes: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! My apologies if there are any spelling mistakes, my computer seems to be glitching at the moment. I know this chapter was a little Ken-centric heavy, but this is all about the bigger picture and what is to come in later seasons. Happy New Year:)
scripturient3201: They certainly do need some happiness considering what's coming for them...thanks for the review!
Guest: Thank you so much:) I can't believe how long this story has been going on either! I'm still crossing my fingers interest will remain until the end and I can complete this story. I'm glad you've enjoyed this fic!
Guest: Thank you! I'm glad you like those character interactions, they are some of my favourites too. I don't think Ken knows what his true aim is half the time, haha. Enjoy the new chapter:)
Guest: Thank you:) I always try to focus on keeping the characters accurate, so I'm really happy it comes across in this fic!